HayesGreener
Ronin
The first day of a police academy, perhaps the first hour, instructors will ask, "Are you capable of taking a human life in the line of duty? If the answer is "no", you should pack up and go home now, because you may be called upon to do just that". The recruit needs to make that decision there in the classroom, not out on the street in the heat of the moment. Hopefully the screening process has eliminated the recruit who WANTS to beat up and shoot people.
Much training follows to teach the recruit how and when to use force, and perhaps more importantly, how NOT to use force. When officers get those things wrong there are dire and far-reaching consequences. Even with the best of training, mistakes happen in the heat of the moment.
In the context of civilian use of force, most have not had benefit of extensive training on the subject. Perhaps a class here or there but you are pretty much left to your own devices and common sense, and the amount of time and effort you are willing to put into education and training. The chances you will use it are extremely remote, but we arm against the possibility. Use of the firearm comes with a solemn obligation to get it right.
The first question you have to ask yourself related to use of force with a firearm, will I use it if the need arises?
Secondly, why do you want to use the defensive firearm? You are not going to be pursuing felons, patrolling dark alleys, responding to violent felonies, or rescuing lost puppies. The laws of your state establish parameters of when you legally CAN use deadly force. In Florida for example use of deadly force is justifiable to defend yourself or others from imminent peril of death or great bodily harm, or to stop the imminent commission of a forcible felony (this is the tricky part). But just because you can does not mean you should.
The decision to use deadly force is a profound, life changing decision that you will live with forever, even when you are 100% right. Every officer I knew asked themselves after pulling the trigger,"Did I make the right call?" Fortunately, the ones I knew were right, both legally and morally. However, I also pinned medals on officers who were fully justified in shooting but found another way to solve the problem and did not shoot. I have to say, throughout my career I was repeatedly amazed by the restraint exercised by officers. In testimony to that, just look at the number of cop killers who make it to court alive.
We talk a lot here about guns and calibers and ammo, which is good because we are enthusiasts and this is a gun forum. But we also need to think deeply about the grave act of using deadly force. I am not saying it should not be done, but that it should be done with geat reluctance.
As a firearms instructor of more than 50 years, as a former SWAT commander, and as a retired police chief, I offer a seemingly contradictory proposition here. First I refer to what we call the Rule of 3's. That is that most shootings occur at 3 yards or less, 3 shots are fired, and it is over in 3 seconds. If it takes you 4 seconds to draw and fire once you perceive a threat, statistically you are behind the curve. Things are happening so quickly that if you do not have the skills and confidence, panic and bad decisions can result. Boyd's OODA Loop concept is operative here.
What I suggest to you is that the more competent and confident the defender is with firearms from training, the less likely he or she is to panic and draw or shoot unnecessarily.
So my message here is, know yourself, know your purpose, know the law, practice and be competent, and be ready but reluctant.
Now go in search of your next gun purchase.
Much training follows to teach the recruit how and when to use force, and perhaps more importantly, how NOT to use force. When officers get those things wrong there are dire and far-reaching consequences. Even with the best of training, mistakes happen in the heat of the moment.
In the context of civilian use of force, most have not had benefit of extensive training on the subject. Perhaps a class here or there but you are pretty much left to your own devices and common sense, and the amount of time and effort you are willing to put into education and training. The chances you will use it are extremely remote, but we arm against the possibility. Use of the firearm comes with a solemn obligation to get it right.
The first question you have to ask yourself related to use of force with a firearm, will I use it if the need arises?
Secondly, why do you want to use the defensive firearm? You are not going to be pursuing felons, patrolling dark alleys, responding to violent felonies, or rescuing lost puppies. The laws of your state establish parameters of when you legally CAN use deadly force. In Florida for example use of deadly force is justifiable to defend yourself or others from imminent peril of death or great bodily harm, or to stop the imminent commission of a forcible felony (this is the tricky part). But just because you can does not mean you should.
The decision to use deadly force is a profound, life changing decision that you will live with forever, even when you are 100% right. Every officer I knew asked themselves after pulling the trigger,"Did I make the right call?" Fortunately, the ones I knew were right, both legally and morally. However, I also pinned medals on officers who were fully justified in shooting but found another way to solve the problem and did not shoot. I have to say, throughout my career I was repeatedly amazed by the restraint exercised by officers. In testimony to that, just look at the number of cop killers who make it to court alive.
We talk a lot here about guns and calibers and ammo, which is good because we are enthusiasts and this is a gun forum. But we also need to think deeply about the grave act of using deadly force. I am not saying it should not be done, but that it should be done with geat reluctance.
As a firearms instructor of more than 50 years, as a former SWAT commander, and as a retired police chief, I offer a seemingly contradictory proposition here. First I refer to what we call the Rule of 3's. That is that most shootings occur at 3 yards or less, 3 shots are fired, and it is over in 3 seconds. If it takes you 4 seconds to draw and fire once you perceive a threat, statistically you are behind the curve. Things are happening so quickly that if you do not have the skills and confidence, panic and bad decisions can result. Boyd's OODA Loop concept is operative here.
What I suggest to you is that the more competent and confident the defender is with firearms from training, the less likely he or she is to panic and draw or shoot unnecessarily.
So my message here is, know yourself, know your purpose, know the law, practice and be competent, and be ready but reluctant.
Now go in search of your next gun purchase.
wages, called racist killers and be hauled into court under threat of imprisonment if they dare to defend their own life from an armed, violent thug ?